As little Codie-Leigh celebrated her fourth birthday last year she shared her “sweet tea” - cakes from Lidl and biscuits bought for 30p a pack at the same store - with family and friends.
And while Codie’s previous parties certainly haven’t been lavish affairs, this year even that is out of the question. “It’s Codie’s birthday soon but she won’t be able to have a party and she looks forward to that so much every year,” says mum Rebeka Stewart.
Her baby sister Harper-Jae will also miss out as she turns two a few days before. But the cancelled parties aren’t the only blow the pandemic has brought the family as it applies an even greater strain on finances already at breaking point.
Read more on mirror.co.uk